Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
William Henry Cashel,
Worked for GSWR, 1866 to 1889:
He
worked
for
Great Southern and Western Railway
(GSWR)
for 23 years (1866 to 1889).
His brother
Blennerhassett
also worked for GSWR.
William was
appointed 21 Mar 1866
[GSWR record].
He
wit his sister's
wedding near Buttevant in Apr 1870.
She was living Buttevant at the time.
He sp the baptism of Agnes Cashel in Dec 1870.
"William Henry Cashel" sp bapt of his nephew
George William Sheahan
1872.
The murder case, 1873:
On the night of 3 Apr 1873, a GSWR goods engine driver, Arnold Wall, was killed close to Buttevant station,
apparently falling or being pushed off the train
in an argument with his fireman, Timothy Nagle.
Other train staff found the train stopped and Wall and Nagle had left the train.
Cashel was sent for at Buttevant, and he and the other staff found the body of Wall,
and Nagle alive.
Cashel gave evidence at the initial inquiry.
See long article
in
Cork Constitution, 5 April 1873,
p.2
and
p.3.
Cashel gave evidence at the trial of Nagle.
Nagle was found guilty of manslaughter.
See long article
in
Cork Constitution, 24 July 1873,
p.2
and p.3.
See also Kerry Evening Post, 26 July 1873.
He left Buttevant in May-June 1874.
See tribute
to him on leaving Buttevant,
Freeman's Journal, 16 May 1874.
He signs himself "W.H. Cashel".
He was
station master at Parsonstown (now Birr), Co.Offaly,
from May-June 1874 to 1877.
In June 1874, his father's pension address switches to Parsonstown.
"William Cashel" sp bapt of his nephew
David Joseph Sheahan
Aug 1874.
Leaving Parsonstown, 1877:
He left Parsonstown
in 1877
and his brother
Blen
took over from him there.
See item
in
Freeman's Journal,
10 Aug 1877
(also here).
This reports William Henry's move from the railway station at
Parsonstown to Carlow, and his replacement at Parsonstown by his brother Blen.
See item
in Irish Times, 10 August 1877.
There was a tribute to him at a meeting of the Parsonstown Town Commissioners on Mon 13 Aug 1877.
See item
in
Midland Counties Advertiser,
16 Aug 1877.
And identical
in Leinster Reporter,
16 Aug 1877.
The Parsonstown Town Commissioners prepared an illuminated address for him.
See item
in Leinster Reporter, 8 November 1877.
The address was presented to him on Mon 26 Nov 1877.
See article
part one
and two
in
Leinster Reporter, Thur 29 November 1877.
One speaker says he
"hoped that every blessing would follow Mr. Cashel and his family
in whatever situation they were placed".
Cashel was age 33 and unmarried.
This could be a reference to his brother, arriving at Parsonstown to replace him.
See identical in
Midland Counties Advertiser, 29 November 1877.
And similar in
Carlow Sentinel, 1 December 1877.
He didn't marry. He socialised a lot.
He appears in lists of guests at many social events in
newspapers.
Story is he drank too much.
It seems his drinking interfered with his job.
He was
"called on to resign"
23 Nov 1889
[GSWR record].
He was
age 45,
still stationmaster at Carlow at the time.
He is
listed as "ex-stationmaster" at death.
His
will is dated 22 Sept 1890.
Transcript of will survives.
But it is
very short.
Leaves all property to his brother Blen.
Blen also sole executor.
Will witnessed by "Patrick L. Aherne", Mater Hospital, Dublin.
(Perhaps he was receiving treatment there?)
He
moved in with his brother
Blen
and family
at Carey's Road, Limerick.
(Blen was GSWR head at Limerick.)
"William H. Cashel" of Carey's Road, Limerick, was charged at
Limerick Petty Sessions
on 24 July 1891
with being drunk on the street in Limerick on 16 July 1891.
Think case dismissed.
Certainly he escaped jail.
See p.1
and p.2.
Commits suicide, 1891:
He
committed suicide, 28th Oct 1891,
Croom, Co.Limerick, age 46 yrs.
Note that
Croom
was a GSWR station at this time,
though he was not working there, he is listed as "ex-stationmaster".
Have
searched Limerick Chronicle 29th Oct, not found.
Findings of inquest: "suffocation caused by a self-inflicted wound in his throat whilst in a state
of temporary insanity - suicide" [GROI].
Will proved at Limerick, 21st Nov 1891, by his brother Blen
[NAI].
See image of entry.
William is
"called on to resign"
23 Nov 1889
[GSWR record].
See full size.
The sad appearance of
William Henry Cashel
at Limerick Petty Sessions in July 1891.
He killed himself 3 months later.
See full size.
Buttevant station in 1980.
From RTE.
Remains of part of the main station building at Buttevant.
Photo 2006.
See full size
and original.
From Eiretrains.
Used with permission.
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